Top 30 Greatest Movies of All-Time # 30
Title: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Actors/Director/Anything Worth Mentioning Right Away: Gene Wilder gives the performance of a lifetime.
Introduction: I honestly cannot remember the first time that I saw this movie. I doubt it was in theaters, but I know it was probably on television, just not on video. My parents and sisters probably watched it with me because it was deemed a “family film”, and in some ways is. It wasn’t until I read an interview in some rock magazine with Marilyn Manson that I realized just how evil this movie is.
Location: Primarily it takes place inside said chocolate factory, though it is in itself very elaborate, so yes, they had a good budget.
Plot: Willy Wonka, who has never opened his doors to the public before, is packing random golden tickets in his candy so that he can secretly audition an heir to his throne since he’s a eunuch or something. I’m sure that everyone knows the plot to this movie, whether they’ve seen it before or not, but can I just say that if you look for the evil, it is there. The whole thing starts on the announcement of the golden tickets. Sure, going to the factory and all for the tour would be great, but should young Charlie be spending any spare money he finds selfishly on candy for himself instead of to help feed his sick family? And as you can see the pandemonium ensue when the golden tickets are announced, this is also a great exploitation of consumers. Imagine if an actual company did this (Let’s say Hershey, even though you can already tour their company)—the sales would be crazy. And what you’re essentially saying is “Only a handful of people will win, but millions are going to buy millions of candy bars any way”. It’s mad genius, but it also has some undertones of evil, does it not? Then there is the whole tricking of the kids and the deceit the entire time they are in the chocolate factory, right down until the final scenes.
Acting: This is quite possibly the best role that Gene Wilder ever played because here he is as this pure, clean guy that is friendly to kids (like Ronald McDonald), while in reality he is two faced and has ulterior motives (like Grimace). The whole atmosphere is so bright and colorful, and he puts on this very great persona of “I’m smiling to your face but stabbing you in the back” whilst singing a song. It’s an awesome contrast, and just perhaps one of the most complex characters in all of cinema ever. And Wilder plays it to a tee.
Production: It looks awesome, even by today’s standards.
Sex/Nudity: No, thank goodness.
Special Effects: The tunnel ride… STILL. SCARES. ME.
Overall Verdict: If you want to get really deep and wax philosophical on this movie, one could argue its resemblance to God and even the Garden of Eden. All of the temptations, traps, set ups, backstabbing, weeding out the true evil to expose the true good—and all done in the backset of what could be mistaken for The Sound of Music on LSD. Yes, this is a great movie and one I never tire of watching.
The List Thus Far:
(30) Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
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